PMP Practice Questions #21
You are overseeing a construction project for a new office building which is expected to be completed in 12 months. The client wants to start using available sections of the building as soon as they’re safe and functional, even if the entire building isn’t complete. What approach should you adopt?
A) Explain to the client to wait until the entire building is complete as planned.
B) Hand over individual floors immediately after their safety inspections.
C) Review the idea of incremental delivery with the integrated change control group to cover all aspects of the project.
D) Ask the client to accept the change of project lifecycle from predictive to hybrid.
Analysis
The scenario involves a construction project with an originally predictive lifecycle, set to be completed in 12 months. The client’s new request to use the building’s safe and functional sections before the entire project’s completion prompts a need to consider a shift towards a more flexible, potentially hybrid, approach. The ideal response would involve not just acknowledging the client’s request but also analyzing its implications and planning accordingly, ensuring all aspects including safety, compliance, and potential disturbances are considered.
Analysis of Options:
Option A: Explain to the client to wait until the entire building is complete as planned. This option suggests telling the client to wait for the entire building’s completion, sticking to the original plan. This approach doesn’t align with the idea of flexibility and responsiveness to change, nor does it show openness to delivering incremental value to the client. It fails to acknowledge the potential benefits of early incremental delivery and is a direct rejection without consideration, making it a non-ideal choice.
Option B: Hand over individual floors immediately after their safety inspections. Handing over individual floors right after safety inspections aligns with the client’s request for early use. While this option demonstrates a commitment to delivering incremental value, it falls short in comprehensive planning. It doesn’t consider potential disruptions or other crucial factors beyond safety, like compliance issues or the practicality of occupancy during ongoing construction. It’s a reactive approach, skipping vital analysis and planning steps.
Option C: Review the idea of incremental delivery with the integrated change control group to cover all aspects of the project. This option proposes reviewing the possibility of incremental delivery with an integrated change control group. It stands out because it suggests a collaborative approach, involving relevant stakeholders to consider all project aspects. This method promotes thorough analysis before action, ensuring not just safety but also the feasibility of the client’s request from multiple perspectives. It’s a proactive approach, addressing potential challenges and planning for them, which makes it the most thoughtful and balanced option.
Option D: Ask the client to accept the change of project lifecycle from predictive to hybrid. Requesting the client’s acceptance to change the project lifecycle from predictive to hybrid acknowledges the shift necessitated by the client’s request. However, it doesn’t directly address the immediate need: the client’s desire for early occupancy. This option might be part of the solution but, on its own, lacks the comprehensive planning and analysis required to effectively implement the client’s request.
Conclusion: When a customer expects a change, a thorough analysis is paramount. Option C: “Review the idea of incremental delivery with the integrated change control group to cover all aspects of the project” emerges as the best choice, as it entails a comprehensive review and a collaborative strategy for change, ensuring all variables are examined before any segment of the building is released for early use. This method highlights the necessity for flexibility and thoroughness in project management.
PMP Exam Content Outline Mapping
| Domain | Task |
|---|---|
| Process | Task 10: Manage project changes |
| Process | Task 13: Determine appropriate project methodology/methods and practices |
| Business | Task 1: Plan and manage project compliance |
Topics Covered
- Incremental Delivery
- Project Lifecycle
- Integrated Change Control
- Stakeholder Engagement
